Bears’ Benson and boating on Rock River

May 6th, 2008 at 01:49pm Georgette Braun

With all the hoopla over Cedric Benson of the Chicago Bears being charged with operating a boat in Texas while intoxicated, which he plans to fight, made me wonder what the laws are on the Rock River Valley, right outside my office window.

They aren’t as strict as driving a car.

Chris McCloud of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources tells me that it is legal here for the driver of a boat to consume or possess an alcoholic beverage as long as the operator isn’t over the legal intoxication limit of .08 (same as in a car).

Passengers of boats are allowed to consume alcohol, but their actions can’t endanger or disrupt the public or they are subject to fine and arrest. You can’t have open liquor in a car being driven in Illinois.

So, what do you think about all that?

Entry Filed under: sports